Frost Dates for Owego, NY 13827

Last spring frost May 7 · First fall frost October 9 · 155 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a

ZIP 13827 has about 11,800 people.

Moderate season: 155 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 17 (21 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 24 (30 days).

Frost probability for 13827

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 17May 7April 26
Fall (first frost)September 24October 9October 24

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TOWANDA 1 S (43.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 155-day season in Owego

In Owego (155 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 2May 21–May 28113fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jun 9
PepperMar 26May 21–May 28113fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jun 14
LettuceMar 12Apr 9–Apr 16190two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 18
Carrots—Apr 16–Apr 23197fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 16.Aug 7
CucumberApr 16May 21–May 28127fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 21.Jul 13
Beans—May 14–May 28141two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2.Jul 20
Peas—Mar 12–May 21218fits: 65 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 12.Jul 29
ZucchiniApr 23May 21–May 28127two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25.Jul 18
OnionFeb 12Apr 9–Apr 23190fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9.—
Spinach—Mar 12–Apr 30232two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30.Sep 6
KaleFeb 26Apr 9–Apr 23204two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30.Aug 22
BroccoliMar 12Apr 9–Apr 23190fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9.Jul 14
CabbageMar 12Apr 9–Apr 23204fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 9.Aug 7
Radish—Mar 12–Jun 4218two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16.Sep 7
Beets—Mar 12–Jun 4218two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 8
Potatoes—Apr 23–Apr 30176fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 23.—
Garlic—Oct 9260overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer.Oct 30
Strawberry—Apr 2–May 28211perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 9May 14–May 21127fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 14.Jun 21
PumpkinApr 23May 21–May 21120fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21.May 27
CauliflowerMar 26Apr 30–May 14169fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 30.Jul 19
Swiss ChardMar 12Apr 23–Apr 23176two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 8
Arugula—Mar 12–Jun 4232two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30.Sep 6
Brussel SproutsMar 12Apr 9–Apr 23204fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 9.Jul 8
Butternut SquashApr 23May 21–May 28120fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21.May 27
EggplantMar 19May 21–May 28113fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jun 19
OkraApr 9May 14–May 21134two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25.Jul 18
BasilApr 2May 28–May 28120fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 28.Jul 13
Cilantro—Apr 9–Apr 30190two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 13
ParsleyFeb 26May 14–May 21155fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after May 14.Jul 24
CeleryFeb 26May 14–May 28155fits: 120 days to maturity, 155 available after May 14.Jun 4
ScallionsFeb 26Apr 9–Apr 23204two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30.Aug 17
Turnip—Apr 9–Apr 23204two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30.Aug 27
Kohlrabi—Mar 26–Apr 9218two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30.Aug 22
Bok ChoyApr 9Apr 30–May 7169two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 18
CollardsFeb 26Apr 9–Apr 23204two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30.Aug 17
CantaloupeApr 23May 21–May 28113fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jun 4
ChivesFeb 12May 14–May 21169fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 14.—
Dill—Mar 12–Jun 4218two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 8
OreganoFeb 26May 14–May 21169fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after May 14.—
RosemaryFeb 12May 14–May 21155fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after May 14.—
SageMar 12May 14–May 21169fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after May 14.—
ThymeFeb 26May 14–May 21169fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 14.—
CalendulaMar 26Apr 23–May 7176two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16.Aug 13
CosmosApr 9May 7–May 21141two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25.Jul 13
LavenderFeb 12May 7–May 21176fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7.—
MarigoldsMar 26May 7–May 14141two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25.Jul 23
MelonsApr 23May 21–May 28113fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 21.Jun 4
Mint—May 7–May 21176fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 7.—
NasturtiumsApr 9May 7–May 14141two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25.Jul 18
Pole Beans—May 14–May 28134fits: 65 days to maturity, 134 available after May 14.Jul 8
Spaghetti SquashApr 23May 21–May 28120fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21.Jun 6
Sunflowers—May 7–May 21141fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after May 7.Jul 3
TomatillosMar 12May 14–May 21120fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14.Jun 14
WatermelonApr 23May 14–May 21120fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14.Jun 9
Yellow SquashApr 23May 21–May 28127two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25.Jul 18
ZinniasApr 9May 7–May 21141two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25.Jul 13

Month by month in Owego

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 12), Lavender (Feb 12), Onion (Feb 12), Rosemary (Feb 12), Celery (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), Sage (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 12), Beets (Mar 12), Dill (Mar 12), Peas (Mar 12), Radish (Mar 12), Spinach (Mar 12), +1 more.
AprilStart indoors: Basil (Apr 2), Tomato (Apr 2), Bok Choy (Apr 9), Corn (Apr 9), Cosmos (Apr 9), Nasturtiums (Apr 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 9), Turnip (Apr 9), Carrots (Apr 16), Potatoes (Apr 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 9), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 9), Cabbage (Apr 9), Collards (Apr 9), Kale (Apr 9), Lettuce (Apr 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 2).
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 7), Beans (May 14), Pole Beans (May 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 7), Lavender (May 7), Marigolds (May 7), Mint (May 7), Nasturtiums (May 7), Zinnias (May 7), +23 more. Last frost around May 7. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 27), Pumpkin (May 27).
JuneLast sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30).
NovemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.
DecemberClean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Owego, NY (ZIP 13827)?

The median last spring frost date for Owego, NY (ZIP code 13827) is around May 7. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 26; one in ten it runs past May 17.

What is the first fall frost date in Owego, NY?

The median first fall frost date for Owego, NY is around October 9. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Owego, NY?

The frost-free growing season in Owego is about 155 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Owego (155 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Owego, NY?

Owego, NY is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.

When should I start tomatoes indoors in Owego, NY?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 2 and plant out May 21 in Owego. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Owego?

Two: plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.

When do I plant garlic in Owego?

Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

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